UPDATED RECALL: Prescription Dog Food May Have Elevated Vitamin D Levels

Update 3/13/2023 –

On March 10th, 2023, Purina expanded their recall related to their Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food. They added two more product lots that could have elevated levels of vitamin D. Both the 8-pound and 20-pound bags were affected.

The added product codes are:

• 2213 1082
• 2214 1082

No other products have been added to this recall. If you have products with either of these codes, stop feeding them to your dog right away and dispose of them. While vitamin D is part of a healthy diet, too much can cause health concerns.

Original Post –

Even the most popular dog food brands can face recalls at times. In a recent recall, a well-known brand of prescription dog food was recalled because at least two dogs showed signs of vitamin D toxicity when eating it. Those dogs had been healthy before the most recent bag of dog food. Luckily, the dogs are healthy again after they stopped eating the food.

So, when the company found out about this issue, they recalled the affected products. Anyone who has the recalled food should stop serving it to their dog right away.

What was Recalled?

The Nestlé Purina PetCare Company recalled a few bags of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) on February 8th, 2023. Certain 8-pound and 20-pound bags were involved because they had potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.

Here are the impacted Production Codes:

• 2249 1082
• 2250 1082
• 2276 1082
• 2277 1082
• 2290 1082
• 2360 1082
• 2361 1082

No other Purina products were affected during this recall. This food is a prescription-only formula, so it can only be purchased from vets or retailers able to validate a prescription.

“We apologize to pet owners and veterinarians for any concerns or inconvenience this situation has caused. As pet experts and pet owners ourselves, the health and well-being of pets is our top priority,” the company wrote in a recall announcement.

Signs of Vitamin D Toxicity

This recall occurred because two separate customers reported signs of vitamin D toxicity in their dogs. Even though vitamin D is an essential ingredient in healthy diets, too much can lead to health concerns. So, if your dog ate any of the recalled food, keep an eye out for unusual symptoms.

Some signs of vitamin D toxicity include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, and excessive drooling. In extreme cases, it could lead to kidney dysfunction. If your dog is experiencing any of the above symptoms, Purina urges you to contact your veterinarian right away.

What to Do with the Recalled Food

If you have the recalled food, stop feeding it to your dog immediately and dispose of it in a way that no animals can access it. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, you should talk to your veterinarian.

Related: 4 Best Pet Rx Discount Cards

Dog parents who have questions or want a refund can contact Purina at 1-800-345-5678. You can call Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm CST. You can also contact them any time via email by going to Purina’s contact page.

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